Device for removal of contaminants from fluid streams

Abstract

A device for purifying a workstream of contaminants and method of making. One device is made of an inorganic monolithic porous particulate filter and a continuous uninterrupted coating of activated carbon impregnated into the pores of the filter. Preferably the filter has inlet and outlet faces, and a multiplicity of cells separated by porous walls and extending longitudinally and mutually parallel therethrough from inlet to outlet end, a portion of the total number of cells being plugged at the inlet end face, and the remaining portion of the total number of cells being plugged at the outlet end face of the device. Another device can be made entirely of activated carbon having the multicellular structure. A workstream containing contaminants is passed through the device to cause retention of the contaminants. The device can have electrically conducting mechanism for conducting electric current therethrough for removal of the contaminants and regeneration of the device.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A device for purifying a workstream, the device comprising: a) a monolithic porous particulate filter made of material selected from the group consisting of ceramic, glass ceramic, glass, metal, and combinations thereof; and   b) a continuous uninterrupted coating of activated carbon distributed over the outer surface and interlocked within the porosity of the filter the activated carbon being derived from a carbon precursor.   
     
     
       2. A device of claim 1 wherein the filter is made of material selected from the group consisting of cordierite, mullite, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
       3. A device of claim 1 wherein the filter is made of non-electrically conducting material. 
     
     
       4. A device of claim 3 further comprising electrically conducting means on the filter for conducting an electric current through the device. 
     
     
       5. A device of claim 1 wherein the filter comprises a multicellular monolith having inlet and outlet faces, and a matrix of porous walls defining a plurality of cells extending longitudinally and mutually therethrough between the inlet and outlet faces, a portion of the total number of cells being plugged at the inlet end face, and the remaining portion of the total number of cells being plugged at the outlet end face of the monolith. 
     
     
       6. A device of claim 5 wherein the filter is made of material selected from the group consisting of cordierite, mullite, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
       7. A device of claim 5 wherein the filter is made of non-electrically conducting material. 
     
     
       8. A device of claim 7 further comprising electrically conducting means on the filter for conducting an electric current through the device. 
     
     
       9. A device for purifying a workstream, the device comprising a filter structure wherein essentially all of the filter structure is made of activated carbon, wherein essentially all of the activated carbon is derived from a carbon precursor, having inlet and outlet faces, and a multiplicity of cells separated by porous walls and extending longitudinally and mutually parallel therethrough from inlet to outlet end, a portion of the total number of cells being plugged at the inlet end face, and the remaining portion of the total number of cells being plugged at the outlet end face of the device. 
     
     
       10. A device of claim 9 further comprising electrically conducting means thereon for conducting an electric current therethrough. 
     
     
       11. A method of making a device for purifying a workstream, the method comprising: a) providing a multicellular activated carbon structure, wherein the activated carbon is derived from a carbon precursor, having inlet and outlet end faces, and a matrix of porous walls defining a plurality of cells extending longitudinally and mutually parallel therethrough between the inlet and outlet end faces; and   b) plugging a portion of the total number of cells at the inlet end face, and plugging the remaining portion of the total number of cells at the outlet end face to form said device, said device having a filter structure.   
     
     
       12. A method of claim 11 comprising the additional step of providing electrically conducting means on the filter for conducting an electric current through the device.